Key Points
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Twelve people have been sentenced to death in Egypt as part of a large drug case.
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Among the defendants is television presenter and lifestyle influencer Sarah Khalifa.
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Khalifa, who wept at sentencing, has denied the charges and plans to appeal the death sentence.
Egyptian television presenter and lifestyle influencer Sarah Khalifa is among 12 people who have been sentenced to death in Egypt after being convicted in a sprawling drug case.
According to state-owned al-Ahram newspaper (per CNN), the defendants were part of a criminal gang that imported ingredients used to make drugs “for the purpose of trafficking” them. They were additionally accused of possessing firearms without a license.
Twenty witnesses gave statements to the prosecutors, per the outlet, in addition to evidence that included video, audio recordings, and photographs.
The 12 individuals, including Khalifa, 39, have been sentenced to death by hanging and fined 500,000 Egyptian pounds ($9,800), al-Ahram said. Nine others in connection with the case were sentenced to life imprisonment and seven were acquitted.
Khalifa has denied the charges. Her attorney told BBC that she would appeal the death sentence.
Video of the sentencing, which took place last month, has been circulating on social media, including footage of Khalifa weeping in court, asking for “mercy and humanity.”
Khalifa is best known for her program Mission Impossible, which covered crime stories. She has also amassed a large social media following with over 2.9 million fans on Instagram. She was arrested in April 2025 as part of the investigation.
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Prosecutors said the network Khalifa is accused of being involved in imported products required for synthetic drug production from abroad. Authorities said that 750 kilograms of synthetic narcotics and other raw materials were seized from a residential property where the defendants allegedly stored and made the drugs.
Egypt issued 492 death sentences in 2025, an increase of 35% from 2024’s 365 and one of the highest recorded rates in the world Twenty-three were carried out. The country imposes the death penalty for drug trafficking, terrorism, and premeditated murder
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